SilverZ

Like you pointed out Matt, I honestly see value in preferring AFA graded items when you're a carded collector that needs a guarantee on quality, especially on vintage. The extra cost that it brings to the figure is probably justified to some collectors just to know exactly what they're getting, when youíre talking mid to high triple digit pricetags.

Dave's eBay hunt points out very well how few modern figures are actually in need of an AFA grade. There are probably less than a handful of figures that will cost anyone a large enough cash outlay to justify the ďinsurance/assuranceĒ of it. Itís rather pointless to pay $51.00 for a C9+ Ric Olie, when you can pretty much guarantee tracking down an equal quality one for less than 10 bucks. To the sellerís credit, since we know the cost associated with AFAíing a figure, thatís probably a fair price once you factor in shipping to GA, AFA fees, and return shipment to the seller. Why you'd bother, who knows.

Itís interesting to start to see some pattern to the economics of this. I wouldnít pay $400 for a carded Sacul (hell, Weequay either) but I do understand why super-anal carded collectors might. Itís just not us.

BTW, someone bought that Ric Olie. That, I donít understand.

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SilverZ

Just a little status update - my package was recieved by AFA last week. They sent an email alerting me to its arrival. This morning, I recieved another mail confirming its return shipment. True to their word, they turned it around in 4 business days.

Just a little status update - my package was recieved by AFA last week. They sent an email alerting me to its arrival. This morning, I recieved another mail confirming its return shipment. True to their word, they turned it around in 4 business days.

And they don't tell you the grade in the email? Weird. Guess it allows the suspense to build (or time of separation to increase if it's an AFA45).

SilverZ

Ok, it's back! The cased figure arrived within a large, carefully packed box (much larger than I had sent it away in) with the acrylic case within, sealed in a plastic outer bag, and the Pro-Tech case I shipped it in returned, as well. Insured, with signature confirmation. Great job.

What a complete surprise. That's a very generous grade, IMO. Not that I'm not happy about it. I'll display it proudly. I just would have been harsher.

A couple more images are below. I went down to Aaron Brothers and picked up an acrylic display stand, as like I said earlier in the thread, I plan on displaying a few carded figures within my someday figure display case. I think it worked rather well, as you can see from the 3/4 view pic.

SilverZ

Matt, I haven't gotten to that yet... I thought I was ordering the version with the little sticker at the bottom of the case, which is more subtle, which I like. I've got to look into what happened there. I might have just picked the wrong case. It's actually growing on me though.

wow, that's a good grade for that figure. that case and sticker sure is funky thought, don't think i've seen one like that before. i didn't know they had different options that you could choose from for the cases. but then again, i'm really not that familiar with this whole afa thing anyway. but it looks cool. now, if you could get your entire collection graded, that would make an awesome display